[sodamnfunky]

I have now had my reef tank up and running for 12 months and as the tank was from aquarist classifieds it came with just 2 39w tubes, I then added 2 more 39w with one of these being an arcadia actinic.

I have read forum after forum regarding lighting, and dont mind saying I am confused. First off, whats the usuable life of the actinic? Should it also be changed once a year? Originally I was going to buy the Giessman aquablue plus tubes, and use 3 of those with the actinic.

Any help and advice as to what mix of tubes, decent brands, and cheap places to get them.

Or should I up the lighting too? Unfortunately space above the tank is limited, unless I move it (its in the living room, under the stairs)


Thanks in advance

[ben]

not sure on the time actinics will last but i would go with one blue and 3 white. i found the arcadia tubes to be fine. marine white and marine blue

[chriss]

For actinics, I'd highly recommend the "narva blue" tubes, extremely good color and very cheap. They don't color shift with age as much as other tubes, and I think Si did some "par" measurements that gave very good results. I think 'First Light Direct' gave a good price, just try googling, a 39 W tube should be under a tenner.

Generally, T5's are probably best changed every six months or so if you are relying on good output from them for coral growth. Tho for actinics, you could probably stretch this to 12 months, but at that price why bother.

Chris

[sodamnfunky]

Thanks guys. Any advice on what whites to go for?

[ben]

i like the arcadia marine white

[Dave.I]

With four tube i personal would use two ati aquablue specials and two ati blue plus.The aquablue specials are a white tube of around 11/12k and the blue plus is a very high output blue tube.
If you realy want to get into it check out reef central in the equipment section and look at the t5 thread.It will open your eyes big time! You might want to get comfy first!
If you have no air flow over your tubes then replace them evey six to eight months but if you do have good air flow to keep them cool then every 10 months should be fine.You will get less par if they arent cooled.HTH

Dave

[sodamnfunky]

Thanks for that, I have just been on Reef Central, and am even more confused now

I have looked at the ATI tubes and they seem to be really liked by reefers

[Dave.I]

Ive spent a small fortune trying different tubes and i will be using only ati from now on.Ive got a pure actinic on the way to see what its like then that will be all of them tried.
Ive based my tank on alot of the euro tanks and alot of them use t5's and they look stunning.A 50/50 mix of ati blue plus and aquablue special is very popular,especialy with the sps guy's.

Dave